Dragon Age II Walkthrough & Strategy Guide

Varric at his usual spot seems deeply perturbed by what he's about to tell you. Appeal to his good side by offering to talk over a few cold ones. Apparently, it's possible that incorrigible brother of his, who also is a filthy, two-timing thief, could be back in town and is looking for a buyer. If you agree to help him, you'll have access to Family Matter.

Companions: Family Matter

Before you rush headlong after Varric's brother, it's highly recommended that you bring a proper tank with you. The boss hits so hard that most party members will get pummeled before long.

Varric's tip-off seems to have led to an empty estate, but perhaps it's worth looking deeper into. After Varric's fanciful account, the quest begins properly in a more dilapidated building. Crazed Guards and Crazed Commanders greet you with streamers and cake, except there's really no cake. Just lots of murderous intent and enemies to plow through. These Crazed enemies attack with much more ferocity and have variable toughness to your attacks. Work your way toward the main room of the mansion, where bigger waves of enemies converge on you.

As you approach the room at the top of the stairs, it isn't Bartrand who shows his face but his steward who fills you in on the details of Bartrand's diminishing sanity. Before barging through the door to face off against Bartrand, step into the room just south to pick up Silverite-Reinforced Buckles, one of Varric's outfits. Prep up your party for the battle against Bartrand.

Consumed by some sinister force, Bartrand and a couple of his Crazed lackeys rabidly attack the party as soon you swing open the door. Get to work clearing out the extra bodies as quickly as you can, while the tank keeps Bartrand occupied. Avoid letting Bartrand loose on characters with a low defense rating as that assures character death outright. Damage mitigation, party buffs, individual buffs -- go all out. The good news is that Bartrand can at least be slowed by ice magic.

After having just been nearly killed by his brother yet again, Varric is faced with deciding the Batrand's fate. Having Anders in the party alters things pretty significantly. Without Anders intervention, allowing Varric to kill his brother would result in a large friendship increase. By contrast, sparing Bartrand would only draw contempt. However, these are flip-flopped with Ander's previous intervention. In that case, spare Bartrand to elicit the most positive response from Varric. If you had killed Bartrand, there are dialogue options to ease Varric's guilt outside, which also deepen your friendship with Varric.